D.C. United on Tuesday re-signed defender Dejan Jakovic, whose contract was set to expire.

“Dejan has become one of the top central defenders in Major League Soccer and finished his best season at D.C. United,” United G.M. Dave Kasper said in a statement. “It is an important objective of ours to keep our back line intact moving into 2013, and this signing is a big step in that direction.”

Jakovic, 27, earned $228,000 this season and was the club’s third-highest paid defender. Terms of his new contract weren’t disclosed.

Born in Croatia and raised outside Toronto, Jakovic attended University of Alabama-Birmingham and spent the fall of 2008 at Serbia’s Red Star Belgrade before signing with D.C. United in early ’09. The Canadian national teamer has appeared in 84 MLS matches since. He started 25 this season and scored his first goal.

D.C.’s back four was a source of concern early in the 2012 campaign but gelled over time and played exceptionally well following the September injury to club captain Dwayne De Rosario, yielding only five goals over the final seven regular-season games then shutting down the high-powered New York Red Bulls in the MLS Cup quarterfinals. The center back partnership of Jakovic and Brandon McDonald was a key part of D.C.’s defensive resurgence.

“I am very excited to extend my time here at D.C. United. I love the club, the city and especially the fans,” Jakovic said. “The club is moving in the right direction every day, and I am proud to be a part of this special group.”

Jakovic’s return leaves the future of Argentine veteran Emiliano Dudar up in the air. The 31-year-old joined United in February but made just 11 MLS appearances this year. D.C. holds the option on his contract.

“When I came here, I knew it was going to be very competitive to win a spot, but overall I am happy about the way I played when I was on the field,” Dudar told The Washington Post on Tuesday. “My hope is the coaching staff sees that and wants me back.”